Prophecy of Jesus

I think it's pretty cool that with it being the holidays, my Bible reading tonight happened to fall on Isaiah 9, which is a prophecy of Jesus' birth. Part of this may be because I've fallen behind in my reading (I should have read this chapter two weeks ago or more). And not reading means not posting. If I don't post, it's probably because I'm falling behind on my reading, so if you don't mind, hold me accountable.

Anyway....

Isa 9:2-7
2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.3 Thou shalt multiply the nation, Thou shalt increase their gladness; they will be glad in Thy presence as with the gladness of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.4 For Thou shalt break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.5 For every boot of the booted warrior in the {battle} tumult, and cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.7 There will be no end to the increase of {His} government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.(NAS)

This chapter holds many promises about the coming of Jesus that have since been fulfilled. Verse four says that He will break the yoke of our burden and the staff on our shoulders, as well as the rod of our oppressor. That means that He will, He HAS, broken the dominion of sin. That doesn't mean we won't sin, it means that it will no longer rule our lives as believers. Verse 6 is the "good part." Obviously, that child is Jesus. Jesus came to fulfill all of this, as verse 7 says, through the "zeal of the Lord of hosts." God has accomplished this, by His power and for His glory.

It is interesting that this passage is within a prophecy of punishment of Israel. Before and after this passage, Isaiah speaks of the inpending judgement of Israel. God was not happy with Israel, and their punishment was coming, but at the same time, there was great hope in the form of the coming Messiah.

Honestly, I'm a little bit scattered right now. The main point here is: during the CHRISTmas season, take hope in the true meaning of Christmas: Christ, God's gift to us. The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace who can free us from the slavery of sin and save us for His glory. He is the one who was prophesied of hundreds of years before His birth and He is what Christmas is all about.